"I believe I can be one of the best players in the world and I have to dream and believe to achieve. It's tattooed on my chest.

"You just have to work every day on your dreams. My dreams started with going to the World Cup and then when I was there I scored two goals - becoming the youngest ever Dutch goalscorer - and I was very happy.

"But when the World Cup was finished I realised that was not it. I had to take more on to the pitch - there was more to do.

"So after the World Cup in pre-season I spoke to my manager and said I have to keep focused. Scoring in the World Cup was good but not the end of it. Now I'm on fire."

Depay, who rose to prominence at last year's World Cup in Brazil with goals against Australia and Chile, opted to stay with PSV for one more season, despite interest from Europe's top clubs.

He revealed Van Gaal went out of his way in Brazil to give him advice on his future, and it was that paternal bond that saw Depay spurn an offer to join Paris St Germain - and interest from Liverpool - to remain under the guidance of his former Dutch boss.

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"He's different," said Depay of Van Gaal. "His performance on the training ground is different from other trainers.

“After the World Cup he told me to stay hungry and I told myself to stay hungry. When I made the decision to stay [at PSV] I wanted to be champion and top scorer. I set those goals and I hope to achieve them.

"It will be great to have an opportunity to train with him and work with him. Of course I'm looking forward to it.

"I want to improve myself but Dutch players have played also in the Premier League and I spoke with many of them.

“I believe I can be a big player in the Premier League - I showed my ability in the World Cup.

"I'm very excited. I was always reading about the Premier League. It's been a big dream and one that came true. But it's not the end of the dream - it's just starting."